He had proved his genius when he was in his teens but a five-year hiatus due to his involvement in spot-fixing made people fear that cricket might lose this great talent. What worked in Amir’s favour was the fact that he was still very young when his ban got over. There was a brief resistance from players and the world was divided over his return to cricket. But he made a comeback and a successful one with match-winning performances in T20 leagues and international T20 tournaments.
When it was clear that he would also be included in Pakistan’s Test team and tour England, the country where the spot-fixing saga unfolded, team management found itself in a conundrum. No one was sure how 23-year-old Amir would respond if spectators in England would try to heckle him.
However, Amir seems to have decided to silence everyone with this bowling. Playing in the first tour match against Somerset county cricket team at Taunton, Amir refreshed the memories of the talent he was before the unfortunate events leading to his ban in 2010.
Here are a few videos to prove that if Amir has changed, it has happened for good:
As Amir destroyed Somerset's top-order, which included former England opener Marcus Trescothick, other Pakistan bowlers also pitched in with some wickets.